Method and device for sterilely enclosing a container

ABSTRACT

Sterilely enclosing a container by means of at least two caps by: gripping a first region of a container provided with a first cap in a first region by means of first tongs, by gripping and clamping the first cap; and sliding a second cap onto a second region of the container in such a way that one or more of: the second cap abuts the first cap, the second cap slips over the first cap, or the second cap is slipped over by the first cap; or the first cap and the second cap are connected by means of complementary screw threads, protrusions, cut-outs, or engagement elements; or a connection that provides sterile sealing-off from the outside of the first and second caps can be formed between the first and second caps, leaving a bridgeable distance between the first and second caps.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a method and a device for sterilely enclosing a container.

A sterile packaging of containers is necessary in particular in the pharmaceutical sector, since on the one hand corresponding medications should not be contaminated and on the other hand certain medications can be hazardous in the event of unintentional contact.

Vials, syringes or the like are generally used as containers. A mechanised process and a corresponding device would be particularly advantageous in this case in order to enclose an individual corresponding container completely and in a sterilely sealing manner.

A user being able to immediately recognise from the container whether the sterile seal has been maintained since manufacture would be a further advantage.

The object of the present invention is therefore to specify a corresponding method and a corresponding device.

The method according to the invention for sterilely enclosing a container by means of at least two caps comprises at least the following steps:

-   -   c) gripping a first region of the container, which is already         provided with a first cap in the first region, by means of first         tongs by gripping and clamping the first cap; and     -   e) sliding a second cap onto a second region of the container,         which is not yet provided with one of the caps, in such a way         that the second cap abuts the first cap and/or the second cap         slips over the first cap and/or is slipped over by the first cap         and/or in such a way that the first and the second caps are         connected by means of complementary screw threads and/or         protrusions/cut-outs and/or engagement elements and/or in such a         way that a connection that provides sterile sealing-off from the         outside of the caps is or can be formed between the second cap         and the first cap, for example by leaving a bridgeable distance         between the caps; and preferably     -   h) connecting the first and the second caps in a preferably         sterilely sealing manner, preferably by adhesively bonding a         sealing film and/or a label to the first and the second caps, in         such a way that the sealing film and/or the label sterilely seal         off an intermediate region and/or gap region between the first         and the second caps.

Here, the intermediate region is to be understood as the region which, when one cap is slipped onto the other, lies between the end of one cap and the outer wall of the other cap. The gap region is to be understood as the region between the ends of the cap when no cap is slipped onto the other and a distance may even remain between the ends of the caps. The gap region thus means both the distance that results when the first and second caps are not long enough to come into contact, as well as the region having possibly a narrow gap when the caps just meet one another or the second cap is slid on until the caps meet. The connection in a preferably sterilely sealing manner is preferably to be understood as meaning that this intermediate region and/or gap region is sealed off to such an extent that its permeability is almost equal to or equal to the permeability of the cap material. In addition to adhesively bonding a sealing film, adhesive materials, swelling materials and/or also thermal treatment and/or treatment with pressure come into consideration for this purpose, said treatment, for example, if the cap material of one cap can be bonded or adhesively bonded to the cap material of the other cap by corresponding heat and/or pressure.

These steps are preferably carried out in accordance with their alphabetical order, with further processing steps being carried out before, in between or after.

Step h) can also take place spatially separately in a product manufacturing process. So that steps c) and e) are carried out, for example, in a plant/at a production site, the container is then moved to another location - if necessary, the container provided with the caps is packaged in a suitable and preferably sterile manner for transport - and then step h) is carried out in a further plant/at a further production site.

The general advantage of the method according to the invention is that the number of processing means or processing tools, such as tongs, which touch both the outside of the container and the outside of the caps, can be significantly reduced by appropriately coordinating the shape of the caps with one another and with respect to the container.

This is particularly advantageous with regard to the safety of the products, since residues can remain on the outside of the container if the product is incorrectly filled with a medication that is hazardous, for example, in the event of unintentional exposure.

Any processing means or processing tool such as conveying means, tongs, conveyor belts, slides and the like that comes into contact both with the outside of the container and with the outside of the caps is therefore a source of risk for the transfer of hazardous substances that have accidentally come into contact with the outside of the container to the outside of the sterile sealing cap. This is also known as cross-contamination.

Reducing the number of corresponding processing means or processing tools increases the safety for the user of the product.

With a suitable shape of the caps and simultaneous or subsequent sealing of the region between the caps or the intermediate transition region with, for example, a sealing film or a corresponding sealing label, a user can also immediately see that the preferably sterile seal has been maintained since manufacuture. The sealing film or also the outside of the cap can advantageously be provided with appropriate instructions for use, date of manufacture or quality and/or degree of contamination prevention.

However, the method according to the invention can also be used in cases in which there is no sterile seal after the caps have been put on, because then there is still the advantage that maximum sterility is ensured at least at the time the caps are put on. The maintenance of sterility therefore only depends on the subsequent handling of the container.

However, since this may take place at other production sites/in other machines, the method according to the invention can at least ensure that the containers are provided for this further processing in a sufficiently sterile manner and avoiding cross-contamination.

Furthermore, the sealing film and/or the label can also be applied for reasons other than to indicate the avoidance of cross-contamination, for example product information, safety features or the like can be thereon, for example, to show the user a certain manufacturing standard or to make counterfeiting of products more difficult. However, this can of course also be combined with the fact that the sealing film and/or the label simultaneously indicate that cross-contamination was avoided during filling.

Such properties can be recognised by a user in particular from whether the sealing film and/or the label are undamaged.

The choice of whether the caps should overlap, should be slid on until they meet one another, or whether a distance is intended to remain between the ends of the caps depends substantially on how large the corresponding tolerance ranges have to be selected due to the expected deviations/inaccuracies in the cap size/shape, container size/shape and/or tong shape/movement.

Most advantageous is a configuration in which a small distance remains between the two ends of the caps.

The method according to the invention preferably further comprises one or more of the following steps:

-   -   a) lifting the container from a first conveying means by means         of lifting tongs which do not grip and/or clamp the container in         the first region, the lifting tongs preferably gripping and/or         clamping the container in the second region;     -   b) sliding the first cap onto the first region;     -   c) releasing the lifting tongs from the container and preferably         removing the lifting tongs from the container;     -   f) gripping the second region of the container by means of         second tongs by gripping and clamping the second cap;     -   i) depositing the container on a second conveying means; and/or     -   x) moving the container by means of one of the tongs gripping         and/or clamping the container along a process path and/or         to/from the first conveying means, the second conveying means, a         first capping station and/or a second capping station as an         intermediate step between two other steps in each case.

These steps are preferably carried out together with the aforementioned steps of the method according to the invention in alphabetical order, with the exception of step x), which can be carried out several times and in particular between two other successive corresponding steps.

This advantageous development allows the number of processing means/tools that touch both the outside of the container and an outside of one of the caps to be further reduced.

In an advantageous development of the method, it is provided that none of the lifting tongs, first tongs, second tongs, first conveying means and/or second conveying means come into contact with both an outside of the container and an outside of a cap during the process.

In this way, the risk of cross-contamination of the outside of the sterile enclosure of the container with the filling material or the medication or the contents of the container can advantageously be almost completely avoided.

This is particularly preferably implemented by carrying out all of the aforementioned steps in alphabetical order, with the exception of the corresponding step x). This is a way of ensuring that no processing means/tool comes into contact with both the outside of the container and the outside of the enclosing caps.

It should be emphasised that the first conveying means, second conveying means, lifting tongs, first tongs and second tongs do not necessarily have to be objects that are physically completely separate from one another. For example, it is sufficient overall to have a whole conveying means of which a first portion corresponds to the first conveying means that comes into contact with the outside of the container, while a second portion of the whole conveying means corresponds to the second conveying means that only comes into contact with the outside of the caps.

Correspondingly, in one embodiment the lifting tongs, the first tongs and/or the second tongs can also be part of the same transport rake comprising a plurality of tongs and/or in other embodiments the lifting tongs, the first tongs and/or the second tongs can be part of different transport rakes.

Essentially, it is only necessary to ensure that corresponding portions of a transport rake having tongs, which correspond to the lifting tongs, are only used as lifting tongs in the sense of the method and only come into contact with the outside of the container and not with the caps.

The same applies to the first and second tongs, namely that corresponding portions of a transport rake and/or the same transport rake having tongs that correspond to the first and second tongs are only used as first and second tongs in the sense of the method and do not come into contact with the outside of the container and only with the caps.

In a preferred embodiment, a first transport rake is used for the method, which comprises lifting tongs in a first region and second tongs in a second region. This first transport rake extends along one side of a whole conveying means. On the opposite side, a second transport rake, generally comprising only half as many tongs, preferably extends, the tongs of which serve as the first tongs.

The transport rakes can also provide propulsion along the conveying means, with the corresponding transfer from the lifting tongs to the first tongs of the opposite or second transport rake transporting the containers further along the conveying direction by clamping the caps, in such a way that the second tongs of the first transport rake can clamp the container or the outside of the caps in the corresponding step.

Accordingly, a plurality of lifting tongs, first tongs and/or second tongs for the method according to the invention are preferably provided in order to process a plurality of containers simultaneously in accordance with any variant of the method according to the invention. The same applies to the first and second conveying means.

The lifting tongs, the first tongs, the second tongs and/or a transport rake comprising the lifting tongs, the first tongs and/or the second tongs are preferably rotated away from the container before and/or after gripping/clamping the container and/or one of the caps. When implementing a specific machine, this can be technically advantageous to a lateral movement, in particular if rotating away takes place about an axis parallel to a direction of longitudinal extension of the first conveying means, the second conveying means and/or the transport rake(s).

Accordingly, transport rakes, lifting tongs, first tongs and/or second tongs are preferably movable along the conveying means.

The lifting tongs, the first tongs and/or the second tongs are preferably each formed by two jaws movable relative to one another, between which the container or the caps can be clamped.

The first and/or the second conveying means, a conveyor belt, a combination of a transport surface and transport pushers, transport rakes and/or a transport container, for example a tub or a nest, are preferred.

The container is preferably a vial, a syringe or a similar container that can be used for medical products.

The first and/or the second cap is preferably designed as a cylinder open on one side and preferably circular or rectangular having a diameter greater than the largest diameter of the container, in the first or in the second region respectively.

This allows simple sliding onto the container, provided that the basic shape or bottom surface of the cylinder is chosen to match the container circumference or the outside of the container occurring in a sliding-on direction.

The variant with cylinders open on one side is preferred, because then only the first and second caps have to be slid on, an intermediate region may have to be sealed and the container is completely enclosed by the two caps and, as a result of the sealed or isolating sealing connection between the two, the container is packed in a sufficiently sterile manner.

This variant is particularly preferred since most of the corresponding containers are of such a simple shape that caps can simply be slid onto a container from two directions.

In the case of more complex or considerably larger containers, however, an advantageous variant of the method according to the invention provides that only the first cap is designed as a cylinder open on one side and the second cap as a cylinder open on both sides, the method further comprising the following steps:

-   -   ey) sliding a further cap, designed as a cylinder open on one or         both sides, onto a further region of the container which is not         yet provided with a cap, in such a way that the further cap         slips over the last previously slid-on cap and/or is slipped         over by said cap and/or in such a way that the further cap and         the last previously slid-on cap are connected by means of         complementary screw threads and/or protrusions/cut-outs and/or         engagement elements and/or in such a way that a connection that         provides sterile sealing-off from the outside of the caps is or         can be formed between the further cap and the last previously         slid-on cap, for example by leaving a bridgeable distance         between the caps; and     -   hy) connecting the further and the last previously slid-on caps         in a sterilely sealing manner, preferably by adhesively bonding         a sealing film to the further and the last previously slid-on         cap in such a way that the sealing film sterilely seals off an         intermediate region and/or gap region between the further cap         and the last previously slid-on cap, steps ey) and hy)         preferably being carried out repeatedly after step h), with at         least one step ey) comprising sliding on a cap designed as a         cylinder open on one side, preferably the last step ey).

In this development of the method according to the invention, it is thus provided that the first cap is exposed as a cylinder open on one side at one end of a container and then second and further caps, which are designed as cylinders open on both sides, are slid onto the container one after the other until the container is so sufficiently covered with caps that a last cap, also designed as a cylinder open only on one side, can be slid on and then the container is in turn surrounded or enclosed by caps, possibly with the exception of intermediate and/or gap regions that have yet to be closed.

Further tongs can be used accordingly between steps ey) and eh) in accordance with the aforementioned step f). Alternatively, however, the first and second tongs can also be designed in such a way that they alternately clamp the further caps put on one after the other and move the container accordingly so that further caps can be slid on.

In this way, larger and/or more complexly structured containers can be completely sealed with appropriate caps in an isolating manner, whereby it is ensured in each case that no processing means/processing tool comes into contact with both the outside of the container and the outside of a cap.

The first, second and/or further caps and/or the sealing film preferably comprise a plastics material and/or another easily formable material and/or walls which, in terms of permeability, meet sterility requirements for medical products contained or filled in the container.

A device according to the invention can be designed in accordance with the technical features described above with regard to the method.

With regard to the device according to the invention, an embodiment that does not comprise any means for performing step h) comes into particular consideration, because in corresponding systems for filling pharmaceutical products, labelling/sealing/packing stations are often located in other systems/machines than the bottling itself.

Accordingly, one variant is to equip a device according to the invention without means for carrying out step h).

The avoidance of cross-contamination and the provision of a sterile product provided with caps is still an advantageous property of the machine according to the invention, even if a user of the machine uses this in a system chain in which, for example, the subsequent labelling or the transport of the containers provided with caps there is less sterile and/or does not completely avoid cross-contamination.

A further advantage of an embodiment of the method according to the invention or the device/machine according to the invention without step h) or without means for this is that the method/device according to the invention can then be used flexibly with regard to applications in which high value is placed on sterility and the avoidance of cross-contamination with regard to the application of the label/sealing film, as well as with regard to applications in which this is of lesser importance. Different devices then do not have to be provided for the two cases.

A device according to the invention for carrying out a method according to the invention preferably comprises:

-   -   at least one first capping station for sliding a first cap onto         a container;     -   at least one first tongs for gripping the container after the         first cap has been slid on by clamping the first cap slid onto         the container; and     -   at least one second capping station for sliding a second cap         onto the container preferably fed with the first tongs or,         alternatively, the first capping station also designed for         sliding the second cap onto the container preferably handled         with the first tongs; and preferably     -   at least one sealing device for the sterile sealing connection         of the first and the second cap or, alternatively, the first         and/or the second capping station also designed for such a         sterile sealing connection of the first and the second cap.

The device according to the invention preferably further comprises:

-   -   at least one first conveying means for transporting the         container;     -   at least one lifting tongs suitable for lifting the container         from the conveying means and/or for feeding it to the first         capping station;     -   at least one second tongs for gripping the container after the         second cap has been slid on by clamping the second cap slid onto         the container; and/or     -   at least one second conveying means for the further transport of         the container which is preferably fed by the second tongs and         which is covered with at least the first and the second caps.

As already described with regard to the method, a device according to the invention can preferably also be designed such that a plurality of lifting tongs, first tongs or transport rakes comprising second tongs are provided in each case. In particular, it is possible to provide a transport rake comprising lifting tongs and second tongs and to provide a further transport rake opposite on the other side of a conveying means comprising the first tongs.

Both with regard to the method according to the invention and with regard to the device according to the invention, the first cap, second cap and/or further caps are preferably not designed to be rigid, i.e. in particular, elastic and/or resilient to the extent that the caps yield to the clamping such that the inside of the caps comes into contact with the container at some points and the clamping force is thus transmitted to the container via the cap.

Several embodiments of the present invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1.1-1.15 show the implementation of a first embodiment of the method according to the invention with the aid of a device according to the invention, each in a schematic view in the direction of view along the conveying means; and

FIGS. 2.1 and 2.2 show the steps corresponding to FIGS. 1.8 and 1.10 of a second embodiment of the method according to the invention with the aid of the same device according to the invention as in FIG. 1.1-1.15, but using different caps.

FIG. 1.1 shows the situation at the beginning of an embodiment of the method according to the invention using an embodiment of the device according to the invention.

The container (40) has been brought to the work area of the lifting tongs (14) by means of a first conveying means (10), which is part of the device according to the invention, but can also be separate from it. The lifting tongs (14) are aligned with their mutually movable jaws (16, 18) on a second region (44) of the container (40).

In FIG. 1.2, the jaws (16, 18) of the lifting tongs (14) have been moved apart, pushed around the first cap, moved together and now clamp the second region (44) of the container (40).

In FIG. 1.3, the container (40) has been raised by means of the lifting tongs (14) and removed from the first conveying means (10). FIG. 1.3 shows how the first cap (52) is lowered from above in relation to FIG. 1.3 onto the first region (42) of the container (40) located at the top.

For example, the cap (52) can be held on the tube (60) during the lowering process by means of negative pressure. In FIG. 1.4, the lowering process has ended, the negative pressure has ended, and the cap (52) thus remains on the now covered first region (42) of the container (40).

The cap (52) is dimensioned and the attachment point of the lifting tongs (14) is selected so that there is no contact between the first cap (52) and the lifting tongs (14) and the jaws (16, 18) thereof.

FIGS. 1.5 and 1.6 show how the first tongs (22) are brought in and the first cap (52) is clamped with the aid of the jaws thereof, which are constructed similarly to the jaws (16, 18) of the lifting tongs (14). As a result, the first tongs (22) now clamp the container (40), namely only by coming into contact with the cap (52) and without coming into contact with the actual body of the container (40).

FIGS. 1.7 and 1.8 show how the lifting tongs (14) are then removed from the container (40) and how the container (40) is moved with the aid of the first tongs (22) in relation to the first conveying means (10), which is designed, for example, as a conveyor belt, so that, in a similar manner as the first cap (52) was fed in from above, the second cap (54) can now be brought up to the container (40) from below and aligned with the second region (44) with the aid of the tube (62).

The cap (54) has an engagement element (56) on the outside, which can interact with a complementary engagement element on the inside or on the inner circumference of the cap (52). As indicated here, the engagement element (56) can be, for example, an annular protrusion.

Since the diameter of the second cap (54) is slightly smaller than the diameter of the first cap (52), the first cap (52) slips over the second cap (54) and the engagement elements (56) engage with one another.

Then, as shown in FIG. 1.9, the second tongs (24) are brought up to clamp the second cap (54), whereby the container (40), which is now completely covered by the two caps (52, 54), can be held by the second tongs (24).

The setting tube (62) is now moved downwards.

Then, as shown in FIG. 1.10, the first tongs (22) are removed from the cap (52) and moved away.

FIG. 1.11 shows how the sealing film (58) is now slid over the first cap (52) from above with the aid of the setting ring (59) until the state shown in FIG. 1.12 is reached, that the sealing film (58) exactly covers the transition region or gap region between the first cap (52) and the second cap (54).

In this state, the sealing film (58) is pressed against the two caps (52, 54) with the aid of the setting ring (59) and adhesively bonded thereto in a sterilely sealing manner, for example by means of heat.

Alternatively, the sealing film or a label can also be applied to the gap region by unrolling. For this purpose, both a movement of a corresponding roll-off device around the container and a rotation of the container and/or a combination of both are conceivable. If the container is to be rotated, it may have to be moved onto a turntable or the like by means of the second tongs.

However, the application of the sealing film can also be omitted at this point and the provision of means for this, such as the setting ring (59) or roll-off devices, can be dispensed with. The sealing film can, for example, also be applied subsequently using another machine.

As a result, the container (40) is isolated from its surroundings in a completely sterile, sealed manner.

FIGS. 1.13 to 1.15 now show how the setting ring (59) is moved upwards again and, with the aid of the second tongs (24), the completely covered container (40) is deposited on a second conveying means (12), here for example a trough of a nest.

During the entire process, neither the container (40) nor one of the caps (52, 54) came into contact with any processing tool or processing means.

Furthermore, none of the processing means or tools that came into contact with the container (40) came into contact with one of the processing means/processing tools that came into contact with one of the caps (52, 54).

As a result, cross-contamination is practically completely excluded, and a user can see from the undamaged sealing film that there is a high probability that none of the filled material is on the outside of the caps (52, 54).

In the embodiment shown, the caps are dimensioned in such a way that they are slipped over. In other embodiments, however, the caps can also be dimensioned so that they have almost the same diameter and the two ends of the caps come into contact or a certain distance remains between the cap ends after they have been put on, which distance is then bridged by the sealing film, for example.

Since this only requires a different dimensioning of the caps, this can in each case be combined with all of the features specified for the embodiment explained.

FIGS. 2.1 and 2.2 show such a case of using differently dimensioned caps 52, 54 with the machine also shown in FIG. 1.1-1.15. FIG. 2.1 corresponds to FIG. 1.8 and FIG. 2.2 corresponds to FIG. 1.10.

As can be seen, the first cap 52 has the same design, but the second cap 54 is designed to be shorter in length and has a diameter similar to the first.

As a result, there is no offset between the walls of the caps 52, 54, but a certain intermediate region 100 remains between the caps 52, 54 after they have been put on.

This can be bridged and closed by a correspondingly dimensioned sealing film 58.

Since there is no overlap, no engagement elements 56 are provided on the outside or inside of the caps 52, 54 either.

It is also possible to use a somewhat longer second cap 54, as in FIGS. 2.1 and 2.2, so that the caps 52, 54 are put on touching each other, i.e. they just meet or make contact when they are put on. The intermediate region 100 is then a narrow gap or has an extent of almost zero.

It is also possible to coordinate the lower end of the first cap 52 and the upper end of the second cap 54 so that they can be closed, latched and/or connected to one another during or after putting on the second cap 54.

In addition to complementary engagement elements 56 on the underside or upper side of the caps 52, 54, a choice of material is also possible, so that the caps 52, 54 are already connected in the contact region by pressure and/or strands, preferably in a sterilely sealing manner. 

1. A method for sterilely enclosing a container by means of at least two caps, wherein the method comprises the steps of: gripping a first region of a container covered by a first cap in a first region by means of first tongs, wherein gripping the first region comprises clamping the first cap; and sliding a second cap onto a second region of the container, which is not yet covered by a cap, wherein sliding the second cap onto the second region results in one or more of the following arrangements of the first cap and the second cap: the second cap abuts the first cap, slips over the first cap, or is slipped over by the first cap, or the first cap and the second cap are connected by means of one or more of complementary screw threads, protrusions, cut-outs, or engagement elements, or a connection is formed between the second cap and the first cap that provides sterile sealing-off from an outside of the first cap and an outside of the second cap.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising step of: connecting the first cap and the second cap in a sterilely sealing manner.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising steps of: prior to gripping the first region of the container by means of first tongs, lifting the container from a first conveying means by means of lifting tongs that do not grip the container in the first region and sliding the first cap onto the first region; after gripping the first region of the container by means of first tongs, releasing the lifting tongs from the container; after sliding a second cap onto the second region of the container, gripping the second region of the container by means of second tongs, wherein gripping the second region comprises clamping the second cap; and depositing the container on a second conveying means.
 4. The method of claim 3, wherein none of the lifting tongs, the first tongs, the second tongs, the first conveying means, or the second conveying means come into contact both with the container and with either of the first cap or the second cap.
 5. The method of claim 3, wherein one or more of the lifting tongs, the first tongs or the second tongs form part of at least one transport rake.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein one or more of the lifting tongs, the first tongs, or the second tongs are rotated away from the container before and/or after gripping the container or clamping one of the first cap or the second cap.
 7. The method of claim 3, wherein, the first tongs and the second tongs are formed by respective sets of two jaws, wherein each of the two jaws is movable relative to the other, and wherein the first cap or the second cap, as applicable, can be clamped between the two jaws.
 8. The method of claim 3, wherein at least one of the first conveying means or the second conveying means comprises one or more of a conveyor belt, a combination of a transport surface and a transport pusher, a combination of a transport surface and a transport rake, or a transport container.
 9. The method of claim 2, wherein one or more of the first cap or the second cap is designed as a cylinder open on one side.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein only the first cap is designed as a cylinder open on one side and wherein the second cap is designed as a cylinder open on both sides, wherein the method further comprises the following steps: after connecting the first cap and the second cap in the sterilely sealing manner, sliding a further cap, designed as a cylinder open on one or both sides, onto a further region of the container which is not yet covered by the first cap or the second cap resulting in one or more of the following arrangements of the further cap and a last previously slid-on cap, wherein the last previously slid-on cap comprises either the first cap or the second cap, whichever was last previously slid onto the second region of the container: the further cap slips over the last previously slid-on cap or, the further cap is slipped over by the last previously slid-on cap, the further cap and the last previously slid-on cap are connected by means of one or more of complementary screw threads, protrusions, cutouts, or engagement elements, or a connection that provides sterile sealing-off from the outside of the further cap and the last previously slid-on cap is formed between the further cap and the last previously slid-on cap; and connecting the further cap and the last previously slid-on cap in a sterilely sealing manner using a second sealing film.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein one or more of the first cap, the second cap, the further cap, or the second sealing film a material having a permeability that meets sterility requirements for medical products contained in the container.
 12. A device comprising: a first capping station for sliding a first cap onto a container; a first tongs or gripping the container after the first cap has been slid on, wherein gripping the container comprises clamping the first cap; and a second capping station for sliding a second cap onto the container.
 13. The device of claim 12, further comprising: a sealing device for connecting the first cap and the second caps in a sterilely sealing manner; first conveying means for transporting the container; lifting tongs for lifting the container from the first conveying means and feeding the container to the first capping station; second tongs for gripping the container after the second cap is slid on, wherein gripping the container with the second tongs comprises clamping the second cap; and second conveying means for further transport of the container.
 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the sealing device connects the first cap and the second cap in the sterilely sealing manner by adhesively bonding a sealing film to the first cap and the second cap in such a way that the sealing film sterilely seals off a region between the first cap and the second cap.
 15. The device of claim 13, wherein the sealing device comprises either the first capping station or the second capping station.
 16. The device of claim 13, one or more of the lifting tongs, the first tongs or the second tongs form part of at least one transport rake.
 17. The device of claim 13, wherein the container is fed by the second tongs to second conveying means.
 18. The device of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first conveying means or the second conveying means comprises one or more of a conveyor belt, a combination of a transport surface and a transport pusher, a combination of a transport surface and a transport rake, or a transport container.
 19. The device of claim 13, wherein the container, when transported via the second conveying means, is covered with at least the first cap and the second cap.
 20. The device of claim 12, wherein the first tongs feed the container to the second clamping station
 21. The device of claim 12, wherein the second capping station slides the second cap onto the container such that the second cap abuts the first cap, slips over the first cap, or is slipped over by the first cap.
 22. The device of claim 12, wherein the second capping station slides the second cap onto the container and connects the first cap and the second cap by means of one or more of complementary screw threads, protrusions, cut-outs, or engagement elements.
 23. The device of claim 12, wherein the second capping station slides the second cap onto the container and forms a connection between the second cap and the first cap that provides sterile sealing-off from an outside of the first cap and an outside of the second cap.
 24. The method of claim 2, wherein connecting the first cap and the second cap in the sterilely sealing manner comprises adhesively bonding a sealing film to the first cap and the second cap in such a way that the sealing film sterilely seals off a region between the first cap and the second cap.
 25. The method of claim 3, wherein the lifting tongs grip the container in the second region when lifting the container from the first conveying means.
 26. The method of claim 6, wherein the one or more of the lifting tongs, the first tongs, or the second tongs are rotated away from the container about an axis parallel to a direction of longitudinal extension of at least one of the first conveying means, the second conveying means or the transport rake.
 27. The method of claim 8, wherein the container comprises a vial or a syringe.
 28. The method of claim 9, wherein one or more of the first cap or the second cap is designed circular or rectangular to have a diameter greater than a largest diameter of the container in the first or second region, respectively. 